Sandra‘s Closet

Last Sunday, we took a beautiful boat and cruised around the island of Capri. One stop that I truly recommend for every fashion lover not to miss is the amazingly beautiful DIOR pop-up store which is set up at Il Riccio Restaurant & Beach Club, part of the Capri Palace Jumeirah.

Arriving by tender through the stormy sea is quite an experience. The location will take your breath away. From the cliff, overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean, this unique setting on a balcony is perched on the rock.

Paying an ode to la dolce vita, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s capsule summer collection, titled Dioriviera, includes alongside exclusive Dior Maison objects, sailor tops and summer accessories, such as the iconic Dior Book Tote, Saddle and Diorcamp bags. The must-have pieces are revisited with the motifs of the Dior Around the World line, inspired by the sketches of Roman artist Pietro Ruffo.

This signature joins Toile de Jouy and bayadère stripes on the cushions, parasols and personalized beach cabins of the lounging area, entirely redecorated by the House for the occasion as a testament to the irresistible lure of sun-drenched escapism and an evocation of the good life.

J’adior Capri! Stay tuned for the little souvenirs I got… and just saying the shopping bag itself that you get when you buy something, is worth the spree!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday evening, I was invited by Dior to an intimate ladies dinner at Hotel Widder in Zurich to watch live the Dior Cruise 2021 from Lecce. The way fashion shows are presented has changed due to  the current pandemic, but the excitement stays the same.

The collection was revealed with poetry and enchantment, behind closed doors in the emblematic Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of Lecce, Puglia, a region close to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s heart. Spanning fashion, traditional craftsmanship and committed contemporary art, the silhouettes appeared amid a spellbinding scenography illuminated by the mesmerizing glimmer of Luminarie, fanciful traditional light installations reinterpreted here by Marinella Senatore.

A summer landscape with Baroque architecture bathed in sunlight, Lecce is more than just a dream destination. For her cruise collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri pays homage to this land of the heart and its virtuoso craftsmanship. An enchanting ode to Italy – a country Christian Dior celebrated as early as 1947 – which has become a constant source of inspiration, a passionate creative history.

«During this period, I sought to give collective efforts a new dimension. Despite the disadvantages of distance, bringing a different perspective to our daily lives has given us strength and imagination,» says Maria Grazia Chiuri, who for this Cruise show has chosen to reconnect her creative passion with the region of Puglia, a place close to her heart. Texts by the anthropologist Ernesto De Martino dedicated to the region’s traditions – which have influenced authors including Germano Celant and Georges Didi-Huberman – led her to explore their roots. Puglia and its different energies, where magical beliefs such as Tarantism (disease or form of hysteria that appeared in Italy in the 15th to the 17th century and that was obscurely associated with the bite of the tarantula spider; victims seemingly were cured by frenzied dancing) live on, have become in this particular context a concrete form of utopia, a new reading of the world.

A true celebration of Puglia’s traditional arts and crafts, the Dior Cruise 2021 collection highlights the excellence of these priceless skills. The 90-look collection was proof how one can combine the bohemian and the haute. There were pinafore dresses, blanket-fringe skirts, and hand-knit sweaters, models wore handkerchiefs in their hair combined with flat boots. and of course there was another Book Tote. When you look closer, you will detect the embroideries and craftsmanship that went into every single outfit. The handmade natural leather corsets added this certain twist that I adore. A really beautiful collection that will hit the stores in October 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

Here comes your next It-bag. Presented first on the F/W 2020 runway, Dior unveils Dior Bobby, a new bag of timeless modernity and a subtle tribute to Christian Dior’s beloved pet dog. Another must-have piece created by Maria Grazia Chiuri because the simplicity in its design is precisely what makes this bag so versatile.

The Dior Bobby is a hobo style showcasing sophisticated lines and harmonious proportions.
It’s available in three sizes – small, medium, large – and in four colours – black, white, camel, and of course, the signature blue Dior Oblique canvas that is still all the rage in fashion. It has a flexible suede interior, and is enhanced by antique gold-finish metal hardware. Its removable and adjustable shoulder strap has a military-inspired buckle, and allows it to be carried on the shoulder or crossbody, as well as by hand.

In stores Mid July! So get yourself on the wait list now! I am going for the middle sized one in camel below. Isn’t it so pretty?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior

Last night, the awards season officially closed with the 2020 Oscars. The biggest ceremony of the year, now in its 92nd year, was once again being held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Renée Zellweger in Armani Privé

Some of our favorite A-list nominees were all in attendance, in the hopes of taking home one of the industry’s highest honors: that iconic golden trophy. Renée Zellweger (Judy) in Armani Privé and Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) in the Stella McCartney suit he’s been wearing all season long, won the best actor categories this year.

Joaquin Phoenix in Stella McCartney

Phoenix was not alone showing his environmentalism. The entertainment industry’s push for a more sustainable awards season has made its way to the Oscars red carpet. Vintage dresses made an appearance, following past award show mandates this month, such as the BAFTAs, that have enforced a more eco-conscious dress code.

Saoirse Ronan in Gucci

Saoirse Ronan recycled part of her BAFTA’s Gucci dress for the 92nd Academy Awards red carpet.

Elizabeth Banks in Badgley Mischka

Pitch Perfect star Elizabeth Banks wore the same fire-red dress by Badgley Mischka that she had worn at the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. She just had removed the jewelry straps in the back.

Kaitlyn Dever in Louis Vuitton

Kaitlyn Dever supported the Red Carpet Green Dress initiative in a custom red Louis Vuitton gown made with ethically sourced and sustainable materials.

Jane Fonda in Elie Saab

Jane Fonda repeated her Cannes Film Festival 2014 outfit at the Oscars 2020 and she has a solid reason to do so. Dressed in an Elie Saab F/W 2013 Haute Couture gown, Jane, ethereal as ever, presented the Best Picture Oscar on stage at the Dolby Theatre. She also carried a red coat that has a deeper meaning behind. In 2019, Fonda, who had been a lifelong activist, had been arrested five times in Washington, D.C. for civil disobedience during her climate action campaign. While addressing the crowd, Jane had said that she will refrain from buying new clothes henceforth. This is why she repeated not just her Cannes outfit at the Oscars but the coat as well. «You see this coat? I needed something red and I went out and found this coat on sale. This is the last article of clothing that I will ever buy,» Jane had said on November 1.

And there was another strong message, Jane Fonda sent down the aisle this award season. When the 82-year old stepped onstage, there was something different about her: Instead of the Hollywood legend’s natural brunette, or the sandy blonde hair colour, her new pixie cut was a beautiful shade of silver. Fair or not, gray hair is not considered an option in La La Land. Going against certain beauty norms in regard to aging in Hollywood, this move is fitting considering the actress is as radical as ever.

Natalie Portman in Dior

Natalie Portman made another important statement about the state of Hollywood, that was stitched into her beautiful cloak. The actress stepped onto the red carpet in a Maria Grazia Chiuri designed embroidered Dior gown and matching cape that paid tribute to cinema’s female creators who weren’t nominated, such as Lorene Scafaria, Greta Gerwig, and Lulu Wang.

The craftsmanship of Portman’s Haute Couture gown is breathtaking. Have a look at the behind the scene photos below… investing in a beautiful piece of clothing and keeping it is a message I have tried to convey since ever. Sustainability was the one theme that ran throughout the Oscars while there was no shortage of glamour.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior, via Vogue/Getty

Already in April this year, I had the the pleasure to visit one of the most beautiful exhibitions ever, a must for every fashion lover: Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This retrospective celebrates the founding couturier’s avant-garde spirit and the international destiny of his House, shepherded, after his passing in 1957, by the talent of the Creative Directors who succeeded him.

You still have one week left to indulge in the universe of the French Maison as the exhibition has been extended to September 1st after it sold out within 19 days of its opening.

ABOUT CHRISTIAN DIOR

Christian Dior was born into a wealthy Normandie family in the French seaside town of Granville on January 21, 1905. As a child he shared his mother’s love of gardens. is early passions included architecture and designing fancy dress costumes for his friends. Sent by his parents to study political science in Paris, Dior gravitated towards a bohemian group of friends, including composer Henri Sauguet and artist Christian Bérard.

In 1928, he opened and art gallery, but the business foundered when the Dior family fortune collapsed following the 1929 financial crisis. Forced to find a new way to make a living, Dior took up fashion drawing, eventually working with top couturiers Robert Piguet and Lucien Lelong.

In 1946, Dior founded his own couture house with the backing of textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac. On 12 February 1947, the House of Dior launched its first collection. Dubbed the «New Look» by the press, the collection had an instant and unparalleled influence on fashion around the world. The House of Dior grew rapidly. By 1955 it accounted for over 50% of overseas exports of French haute couture.

In the prime of his career, Christian Dior died suddenly on 24 October 1957. His legacy has continued under the creative directors who have succeeded him at the head of the House of Dior: Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri.

THE EXHIBITION

Based on the highly successful Musée des Arts Décoratifs exhibition Christian Dior: Couturier du Rêve (on view from 5 July 2017 to 7 January 2018), the show charts seven decades of the continuing importance, influence and creativity of the House of Dior in the fashion world, with an additional section showcasing the story of Dior in Britain.

The famous «Bar Suit» and hat, Haute Couture S/S 1947

Drawn from the extensive Dior Archives, the exhibition presents over 500 objects, with over 200 rare Haute Couture garments shown alongside accessories, fashion photography, film, vintage perfume, original make-up, illustrations, magazines, and Christian Dior’s personal possessions. Unfolding across eleven themes, this unique event invites visitors to immerse themselves inside Christian Dior’s world, tracing the highlights of his life, from his childhood to the creation of his couture house at the end of 1946. A voyage through time that continues with the starring role played by such timeless icons as the eternal «Bar Suit», and legendary looks designed by the visionary tastemaker the couturier was.

Celebrating the Dior art of color, accessories, hats, bags, illustrations, miniature dresses, lipsticks and emblematic fragrances together form a spectrum of colors dear to Christian Dior and, in turn, enrich this exciting encounter with the House. The culmination of this immersive exploration, an exhibit called «Le Salon» showcases the splendor of society soirées, illustrated by spectacular dresses that testify to the virtuosity and savoir-faire of excellence of the Dior haute couture ateliers.

THE NEW LOOK

Christian Dior unveiled his first haute couture collection on 12 February 1947, amid excited anticipation within fashion circles. Offering a radical alternative to the boxy, masculine style of women’s fashion after the Second World War, Dior’s designs caused a sensation. Carmel Snow, editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, declared: « It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian, your dresses have such a new look!» The Dior Line showcases ten defining looks made between 1947 and 1957, Christian Dior’s own tenure at the House.

DIOR IN BRITAIN

Exactly to this day, 72 years before, on 26 August 1947, a small group of people stood together in London’s Claridge’s Hotel, hovering around a smartly dressed middle-aged man holding a trilby hat. The celebrated couturier Christian Dior, who just six months earlier had revolutionized fashion with its first «New Look» collection, was in the process of being ambushed by the press. One journalist grilled him as to how he was able to persuade a world short of fabric to embrace his audacious new fashions, to which Dior replied: «I am giving the women the dresses they want. They’re fed up with war restrictions… My full skirts are a release.»

«I adore the English, dressed not only in tweeds which suit them so well, but also in those flowing dresses, in subtle colours, which they have worn inimitably since the days of Gainsborough.» Christian Dior, 1957.

Christian Dior designed this couture dress in 1951 specially for the 2st birthday of Princess Margaret.

In his autobiography, Dior affirmed his love for all things English. He was particularly enamoured with the English aristocracy and he admired the grandeur of the great houses and gardens of Britain, as well as British-designed ocean liners, including the Queen Mary, and Savile Row suits.

HISTORICISM

Christian Dior often cited historic periods in his designs – the sinus lines of Belle Époque dresses from the late 1800s and early 1900s: the tightly waisted mid-nineteenth-century styles worn by the French Empress Eugénie, Napoléon III’s wife. The sumptuous silks and dramatic silhouettes of the eighteenth century held a particular fascination. Dior’s premises at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris had a neo-classical façade, medaillon-backed chairs, and white and grey panelling like that of Petit Trianon at Versailles, a colour Dior is said to have revived.

«I thank heaven I lived in Paris in the last years of the Belle Epoque.» Christian Dior, 1957

In front of one of my favorite Dior dresses, Look 24 from the F/W 2004 Haute Couture collection by John Galliano.

TRAVEL

Travels explore how travel and different countries and cultures have consistently inspired the various designers at the House of Dior. This section focuses on five of the countries that provided a source of reference for Christian Dior and his successors at the House of Dior: Mexico, India, Egypt, Japan and China.

THE GARDEN

Flowers are emblematic of the Maison and have inspired silhouettes, embroidery and prints, but also the launch of Miss Dior in 1947, the first fragrance created alongside the very first show.
From horticulture to global travel and historicism, the show reveals the sources of inspiration that defined the House of Dior’s aesthetic.

Look 47 from the F/W 2012 Haute Couture collection by Raf Simons for Dior. It was worn by actress Natalie Portman, the face of Miss Dior perfume.

DESIGNERS FOR DIOR

Designers for Dior spotlights the work of the subsequent six key artistic directors since Christian Dior’s death in 1957.

Since 1957 the House of Dior has been led by:
Yves Saint Laurent 1958-60
Marc Bohan 1960-89
Gianfranco Ferré 1989-96
John Galliano 1996-2011 
Raf Simons 2012-15
Maria Grazia Chiuri 2016 to present
Each creative director has brought a new perspective.

THE ATELIERS

The Ateliers showcases toiles from the Dior Ateliers in a stunning «cabinet of curiosity» style.

«Everything created by human hands expresses something – above all the personality of the creator. The same thing is true with a dress. But since so many people are working on it, the real job is to get all the hands that cut, sew, try on and embroider to express all I have felt.» Christian Dior, 1954

DIORAMA

Diorama examines the breadth of the House of Dior, from accessories including costume jewellery, hats, shoes and bags, to illustrations, miniature dresses and archive lipstick and perfume, bottles, collected in a kaleidoscopic display. This section spotlights the key creative partners of the House from the past 70 years, including Roger Vivier Stephen Jones, René Gruau, Serge Lutens and Swarovski, Christian Dior’s first choice for crystals to embellish his creations.

How cool! My own outfit was part of the exhibition.

THE BALLROOM

Drawing on his love of costume, it was in his evening dresses and ball gowns that Dior could indulge his imagination and showcase the diverse skills of the haute couture ateliers. Until today, a Dior gown, synonymous with allure and opulence, demonstrates the formidable talents and techniques of Parisian haute couture. It is no wonder that such striking creations have graced numerous red carpets as the choice of film stars and prominent personalities over the past seven decades.

I hope that you have enjoyed following me on my tour through this beautiful exhibition.

LoL, Sandra

Photos taken of the exhibition: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I spotted the new jewelry collection by DIOR Joaillerie at the Zurich boutique and fell immediately in love. Named ASTRO DIOR, it is a celebration of the superstitious character of Christian Dior and consists of 12 necklaces in gold and mother of pearl, allowing you to now wear your astrological sign.

Christian Dior at a feast of St. Catherine, circa 1950

Christian Dior loved astrology. Therefore he visited Madame Delahaye, his clairvoyant, before opening his eponymous Maison in 1946. After the consultation, she confirmed to him that the launch of his brand was written in the stars.

Over the years, many references to the designer’s beliefs in astrology and mysticism appeared as he created certain pieces with a nickname deriving from those fields: Bonne étoile (lucky star), Horoscope, Tour de cartes (card trick) and Cartomancienne (cartomancer).

Astrological references on the DIOR runways

The House’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri continued this legacy by embroidering zodiac signs and celestial motifs on cashmere sweaters, bags and more.

Making of ASTRO DIOR 

Victoire de Castellane also celebrates this fascination with astrology now with the launch of these beautiful 12 necklaces that are available in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

ASTRO DIOR – Aries

ASTRO DIOR – Taurus

ASTRO DIOR – Gemini

ASTRO DIOR – Cancer

ASTRO DIOR – Leo

ASTRO DIOR – Viergo

ASTRO DIOR – Libra

ASTRO DIOR – Scorpio

ASTRO DIOR – Sagittarius

ASTRO DIOR – Capricorn

ASTRO DIOR – Aquarius

ASTRO DIOR – Pisces

 Photos: Courtesy of DIOR and © Sandra Bauknecht

Do you remember when fashion lovers around the globe were craving for the limited edition pieces, such as the Book Tote, that were only available in DIOR‘s Mykonos pop-up store (for the previous post, click here).

This season, DIOR presents DIORIVIERA, a new capsule collection created by Maria Grazia Chiuri, that celebrates the beauty, leisure and art of farniente. A bright and sunny wardrobe, like an invitation to travel, dedicated to the most delightful Mediterranean getaways, the promise of an eternal summer, from Forte dei Marmi, Capri to Mykonos, from Marbella, Saint-Tropez to Ibiza. Great news is that the beautiful items are this season all available online and of course in the respective local holiday boutiques.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior
#Dior #DiorRiviera #DiorCruise #MariaGraziaChiuri #PamelaHanson

Since Maria Grazia Chiuri has been at the helmet of DIOR, she has made feminism part of her designs. Last Tuesday she presented her F/W 2019 collection for the French Maison in Paris and the opening look of the show comprised a T-shirt with the title of Robin Morgan‘s classic work «Sisterhood Is Global». The American second-wave feminist activist and author was also present at the runway presentation.

Upcoming Friday, March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a good reason for Net-à-Porter to team up with some of their favorite ladies in fashion to create an exclusive capsule that you can explore below. Get ahead of the fashion game and be a woman in power.

Happy Weekend from Paris!

LoL, Sandra

International Women’s Day printed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Isabel Marant

International Women’s Day printed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Victoria Beckham

International Women’s Day flocked cotton-jersey T-shirt by ALEXACHUNG

International Women’s Day binary code printed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Rosie Assoulin

International Women’s Day embroidered cotton-jersey T-shirt by Chloé

International Women’s Day printed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Ellery

International Women’s Day printed cotton-jersey T-shirt by Perfect Moment

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

From the It-bag to the It-belt…! Drawing inspiration from the ezcaramuzas of Mexico (female equestrians in the traditional Mexican rodeo known as charrería), Maria Grazia Chiuri has designed a number of feminine outfits for the DIOR Cruise 2019 collection with eye-catching details: Corsets and wide leather belts in plain black or totally embroidered in Mexican flowers emphasized the models’ waists. In reference to the equestrian world and the House’s heritage, each style of belt is in the form of the ‘Saddle’ bag with its emblematic curved flap and tab decorated with a golden “D”.

Those belts will be flying off the shelves now…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of DIOR

I am in love, yes IN LOVE! This is definitely the  chicest bag you could add to your summer wardrobe, DIOR‘s embroidered Book Tote! A veritable invitation to travel by the House’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, an evocation of sunshine, inspired by Mexican crafts, it is the perfect luxury staple piece to rock throughout the season. First seen at the DIOR S/S 2018 runway show, it sports geometrical motifs and requires more than thirty-two hours of work and over one million two hundred thousand stitches to create an interplay of arrestingly lovely patterns in mesmerizing shades of green, orange, red, fuchsia, violet and blue. It’s crafted in the fashion house’s studio in Paris.

Rihanna sporting her personalized DIOR book tote

Although the tote has just been released this season, celebrities all over are sporting the brand in a range of colors and customized names.

Check out the photos below to see how the elegant piece is made:

If you are dreaming of a limited edition piece, I recommend visiting DIOR’s pop-up store on the Greek island of Mykonos this summer at the upscale Nammos shopping village until Oct. 15, 2018.

There you can find exclusive pieces, including DIOR Book Tote bags featuring the name of the island woven into the canvas as well as striped bodysuits and sweaters, silk cravats and cotton pareos bearing the slogan «J’adior Mykonos.»

Great news is that the DIOR book tote is here to stay and has been designed in many different versions for F/W 2018 as well as for Cruise 2019.

DIOR Book Totes for F/W 2018

DIOR Book Tote for Cruise 2019

Such a great bag – my favorite is still the S/S 2018 in vibrant shades.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior